May 10, 1998
To:East York Community Council
From:Richard Z. Tomaszewicz
Commissioner of Development Services, East York
Subject:Disabled Parking Zone adjacent to 975 Cosburn Avenue
Purpose:
To report to the May 27, 1998, meeting of the East York Community Council on concerns about disabled parking zone
adjacent to 975 Cosburn Avenue.
Financial Implications:
The recommended changes can be accommodated in the existing Operating Budget.
Recommendations:
AIt is recommended that:
(1)By-law No. 34-93 of the former Borough of East York be amended to replace the existing ADisabled Parking Only,
9:00 a.m and 11:00 p.m.@ zone adjacent to 975 Cosburn Avenue with a ADisabled Pick-up/Drop-off Only, 9:00 a.m. to
11:00 p.m.@ zone, and;
(2)the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.@
Background:
The Works and Emergency Services Department received a letter from Mr. Russell Dawes, 84 Rosemount Drive, on behalf
of the Christadelphian Ecclesia Church at 975 Cosburn Avenue regarding their concerns about parking occurring in the
disabled parking area adjacent to the church.
East York Council, at its meeting of June 24, 1996, approved a recommendation to implement a disabled parking area on
Cosburn Avenue, adjacent to 975 Cosburn Avenue, in response to a request from the Christadelphian Ecclesia Church to
serve the members of the church. Mr. Dawes advised at that time that some members have difficulty in climbing the hill
from the on-site parking lot, especially in winter.
The disabled parking area was approved to be in effect between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. only, since a parking
study showed that all parking spaces on the street were regularly occupied by residents overnight. Therefore, the time
restriction would provide a disabled parking area for members of the church, but still allow residents to park at night.
Discussion:
Mr. Dawes has since written to this office on February 2, 1998, outlining some problems with the disabled parking zone.
Since the installation of the disabled parking zone in September 1996, Mr. Dawes advised that two vehicles bearing valid
disabled parking permits have been parking there for extended periods of time on a consistent basis. Although these
vehicles are entitled to use the disabled parking area, their constant presence has defeated the original purpose of the
disabled parking area, which was to assist the disabled members of the church. Mr. Dawes advised that one vehicle had not
moved for approximately three weeks.
The present time restrictions for this disabled parking area are 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. which were derived to allow
residents of the street to park in the area overnight. Enforcement against vehicles parking for long periods of time is
difficult since the Disabled Parking By-law allows vehicles to park in designated disabled spaces for a period not exceeding
24 hours. Therefore, staff recommend that this disabled parking zone be replaced with a disabled loading zone which
would still be reserved for use by vehicles bearing a valid disabled parking permit, but they may only board or discharge
disabled persons, and not utilize the area for parking. After the passengers have boarded or discharged, the motorist would
have to park elsewhere. Mr. Dawes has been advised of these conditions and contacted this office on April 15, 1998, to
advise that the church supports the change. The location of the parking area proposed for change is illustrated in Appendix
>A=.
It should be noted that the owners of the vehicles presently parking in the disabled parking area can also apply for disabled
parking spaces in the vicinity of their residences. These requests would be addressed based on their merit.
Conclusions:
The disabled parking zone that was originally approved on Cosburn Avenue adjacent to 975 Cosburn Avenue has been
ineffective for use by members of the Christadelphian Ecclesia Church because of other vehicles with disabled parking
permits parking there for extended periods of time. Although any vehicle with a valid disabled parking permit may park
there, the effective times for the disabled parking zone, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., were structured so local residents
could park there overnight, since parking usage on this block is high.
To allow the area in front of 975 Cosburn Avenue to be available for members of the church, we recommend replacing the
existing disabled parking zone with a disabled loading zone while maintaining the effective times from 9:00 a.m to 11:00
p.m. This change will keep the zone clear for boarding or discharging disabled persons, but will prohibit parking by all
vehicles, including those with a disabled parking permit. The Christadelphian Ecclesia Church has indicated their support
for this change.
Contact Name:
Bryan Muir, Transportation Technologist
East York District
778-2227
bmuir@borough.eastyork.on.ca
RICHARD Z. TOMASZEWICZ
Commissioner of Development Services, East York
